intransitive verb hesitated -·tat′ed, hesitating -·tat′·ing

1. to stop because of indecision; pause or delay in acting, choosing, or deciding because of feeling unsure; waver
2. to pause; stop momentarily
3. to be reluctant; not be sure that one should hesitating to ask
4. to pause continually in speaking; stammer

Etymology: < L haesitatus, pp. of haesitare, to stick fast, hesitate, intens. of haerere, to stick, cleave < IE base *ghais-, to be stuck, neglect > prob. Lith gaištù, to neglect